Independent preparatory schools do not have to follow the National Curriculum or submit test results to the Department for Education so there is no individual school performance data or star rating.
Visit the school's website to learn more about their unique curriculum, policies on testing and common leaver destinations (a good indicator of pupil progress). See our About page for information on Choosing A Prep School.
School Description
Please feel free to call or email our Admissions Team to learn more about our welcoming environment, small classes and high-quality teaching tailored to your child’s individual needs.
Courage: the ability to try and believe in yourself
Compassion: empathy, listen, share, helpful, kind, truthful, forgive, relating to the wider world
Belief: No limitations, dare to be different
Endeavour: unafraid, breaking boundaries, hard work, try
Integrity: be honest, do the right thing, make the correct choices, trustful
We are delighted that our Kindergarten and Pre-School have been awarded a national accreditation; the Early Years Quality Mark.
This award shows that our early years setting meets the Quality Standard Mark that promotes and supports the communication, language and maths skills of the young children in our care. To acheive this Quality Mark we underwent an independent assessment that looked at 10 'Elements' for the Early Years framework. These include working in partnership with families, reviewing learning needs, planning next steps, creating a safe environment for learning, providing stimuating resources and having skilled early years practitioners.
We take great pride in providing investigative learning opportunities appropriate to the developmental stage of each child in our setting. We understand the importance of a positive start for children to develop a strong grounding in education that gives them the best possible skills for their future school and adult lives. Our highly skilled practitioners work hard to support and encourage children as they develop. We are, therefore, delighted to receive this award to reflect the hard work and dedication of our Early Years team.
Amanda was previously Deputy Head, and Head of Science, at Old Vicarage School, Richmond, for 9 years. She was also Head of Science at a boys’ prep school. She worked in a large state primary school as a senior leader, Head of Science and Head of Music before moving into the independent sector.
Who/what inspired you to become a teacher?
When I was 11 years old I had a teacher called Mr Millar; he inspired me because he knew me and he wasn’t satisfied when I produced anything that was not the best that I could do. He taught me the joy, satisfaction and pride that can be gained from being the very best that you can be. I like to think that through my years of teaching, I have known the pupils in my care and encouraged them in a similar fashion.
What achievement are you most proud of as Head?
Getting to know my pupils.
What does a successful school look like to you?
A successful school is a place where I want to be, somewhere where pupils are happy and engaged learners, where everyone is working together to do the very best for each child. A school where teachers are inspired by, and inspiring to, those around them. Success is where children are not afraid to make mistakes - they recognize that they will learn from them, a place where we encourage pupils to go beyond their comfort zone and take risks with their learning and as a result, they achieve more than they ever thought they could.
What is the most important quality you want every child to have when they leave your school? And why?
I want the pupils who leave Cumnor House School for Girls’ to be resilient young women. I want them to be brave enough to seize every opportunity that comes their way, to acknowledge that things will not always be easy but to have a go, to take the interesting route rather than the easy road. Our girls will face a great deal of challenges as they travel through life and they will need an inner strength to deal with whatever is thrown at them; we cannot teach and prepare for every eventuality but we can give our young people the skills upon which they can draw to help them through a difficult situation.
Please give 5 words to describe the ethos of your school.
Happy. Caring. Vibrant. Challenging. Opportunity.
This school is independently managed and its admission criteria may be selective. There is no set catchment area as pupils are admitted from a wide variety of postcodes and, in the case of boarding schools, from outside the UK. Contact the school directly or visit their website for more information on Admissions Policy and Procedures.
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